College Hill in Lynchburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Samuel D. Rockenbach, 1869–1952

Brigadier General, U.S. Army Cavalry

Samuel D. Rockenbach Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, April 9, 2011

1. Samuel D. Rockenbach Marker

Inscription. Nearby at 805 Madison Street is the birthplace of General Rockenbach, “Father of the U.S. Army Tank Corps.” He began his education in Lynchburg schools and was honor graduate of Virginia Military Institute in 1889. As first chief of the Army’s tank corps in 1917, he pioneered training schools and field organization for tank warfare in World War 1.

Erected 1978 by YMI Alumni Chapter and Lynchburg Historical Society; Virginia Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q-6-18.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.

Location. 37° 24.873′ N, 79° 8.696′ W. Marker is in Lynchburg, Virginia. It is in College Hill. Marker is at the intersection of Court Street and 8th Street, on the right when traveling south on Court Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 801 Court Street, Lynchburg VA 24504, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. John Daniel’s Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Purple Heart Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lynchburg Confederate Soldiers Monument (about 400 feet away);

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Vietnam (about 400 feet away); Lynchburg History (about 400 feet away); POW★MIA (about 400 feet away); Korean War (about 400 feet away); Mr. Elder’s Rose Garden (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lynchburg.

More about this marker. Madison Street, mentioned on the marker, parallels Court Street two blocks west.

Also see . . . Samuel D. Rockenbach Papers. Online exhibit with photographs and partial glimpses of documents “Prior to World War I he saw tours of duty in Cuba, the Philippines, various U.S. posts, and served as a military observer in Germany in 1914. He arrived in France in June 1917 with the American Expeditionary Force and from 1917-1919 served as Chief of the newly formed Tank Corps, A.E.F.” (Submitted on August 27, 2011.)

Photographed By J. J. Prats, April 9, 2011

2. Samuel D. Rockenbach Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2011, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 734 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 26, 2011, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.